Brian Cowen has told the UN General Assembly that, while Ireland is not a member of a military alliance, the country is not neutral in the struggle against international terrorism.
In his keynote address to the UN debate on international terrorism, the Minister for Foreign Affairs asked the Assembly: "How can any member of the United Nations abstain from joining a collective effort to confront what is a global threat to international peace and security?"
The Minister added: "There are moments in history so defining and so etched in the memory of all who witness them that they become landmarks in time, defining events that change history and lead to a new impulse of resolve and determination."
Mr Cowen said that the events of 11 September, when the forces of international terrorism struck the people of the United States, counted as such a moment.
The Minister called on the international community to redouble their efforts to put an end to the many conflicts and injustices which, while they can never ever justify the horror of the 11 September, are exploited by the terrorists to guard our support for their warped philosophy.
He also told the Assembly that the Afghan people, who were already suffering terribly from the effects of drought, civil war and political instability, are not to blame for the actions of the Taliban and must not suffer any consequences of the Taliban's defiance.
Brian Cowen said yesterday that the UN was the appropriate body to bring about a collective approach to defeating terrorism. Ireland assumed the month-long chairmanship of the Security Council yesterday. The Minister has held a series of meetings with senior officials of the international body, including its Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.
During what was described as a "long and productive" meeting, the two men discussed the ever-present threat following the attacks on the US and the full range of issues that will face Ireland over the next few weeks.
The UN does not have a clear and concise role in the current crisis. That could change at any time, as the United States marshals its forces in the Middle East and in the Gulf.
The UN has given the United States the right of self-defence against the attacks on Washington and New York. So far, the US has not exercised that right, but when it does, the international consensus at the moment may well come under pressure.
